Homeless people moved from encampment by council
A total of 21 people have been moved from an encampment on the side of a busy main road in a Kent city, a council has confirmed.
Canterbury City Council said it was working with homelessness charities Catching Lives and Porchlight as well as "other settings" to provide shelter for them.
The council added it was collaborating with the NHS to provide healthcare and dental care to help people "overcome alcohol and drug addiction".
Pip Hazelton, cabinet member for housing, said it was "heart-breaking to see people living in this way".
"Officers in teams from across the council have done all they can to rehome people and offer other forms of support," she added.
"Only last week we managed to find emergency bedspace with Porchlight and persuaded people to take advantage of that opportunity."
The local authority added it issued letters on Wednesday to the people at the site, asking them to move their belongings within seven days before enforcement action is taken.
Ms Hazelton added: "While we prefer to help people to move on, this situation simply cannot go on and now we need to take legal action to bring this sad situation to an end."
The council said it was also assisting homeless people who have been living in tents at an encampment in Pin Hill.
"The challenge all along has been that as soon as we find one person a home, they are replaced by someone equally desperate for help," Ms Hazelton said.
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Tents on major road dangerous - homeless charity
Homelessness charity braced for significant cuts
Canterbury City Council
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
Jared Leto Responds To Sexual Misconduct Allegations
This story contains discussion of sexual misconduct. Jared Leto is responding to allegations, including several claims of sexual misconduct, from multiple women. Earlier today, Air Mail published a story that included interviews with nine women who claimed that the actor and musician had behaved inappropriately towards them. Some women alleged that the incidents took place while they were underage, and one anonymously claimed that 'It's been an open secret for a long time." The reporting accuses Jared of, among other things, allegedly appearing nude in front of model Laura La Rue when she was 17 years old, and allegedly exposing himself and masturbating in front of an 18-year-old before placing their hand "on him." In a statement to Air Mail, Jared's rep "expressly" denied the allegations in the story. They also directly addressed Laura's allegation, claiming that hers and Jared's "communications contain nothing sexual or inappropriate" and that she "later applied to work as Mr. Leto's personal assistant, further underscoring the absence of anything inappropriate in any of their interactions." In the story, Laura denied having ever applied to work for him. In response to another accuser's allegation that he would call her in the middle of the night and didn't "know if he was on drugs," Jared's rep claimed that the actor 'has not had a drink or used drugs in over 35 years.' The rep also told the publication that 'there was never any recruiting, complaints or impropriety" in response to allegations that Jared had hosted parties with the intent for young women to go skinny-dipping. The publication also reported that these allegations against Jared surfaced after DJ Allie Teilz reposted a Facebook status from 2012 on IG, alleging that she was "assaulted and traumatized by this creep when I was 17." Jared's reps say that her "allegations are demonstrably false." You can read the entire report containing the allegations that Jared is denying here.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Courtroom chaos unravels as son charges at father's killer: ‘Going to eat your f–king heart'
Chaos exploded in a California courtroom Thursday when a grieving son charged at the man who killed his father in a shooting outside their family home. Israel Trevino III hurled threats and tried to hop over the court gate just moments after a judge sentenced convicted killer Joe Gomez Jr., to life behind bars. Wild video of the encounter showed officers rushing Gomez into the back rooms as Trevino's anguished shouts could be heard in the background. 4 Deputies rushed Gomez out of the courtroom as Trevino began shouting. ABC 30 Behind the camera, Trevino's family desperately held him back by his shirt as he attempted to hop the railing, according to ABC Action News. 'You couldn't take me, huh? Huh, motherf–ker? Huh? Huh?' Trevino can be heard screaming. 'That was my dad! That was my dad! Motherf–ker. I'm going to f–king hunt you, and when you come out, I'm going to eat your f–king heart!' The chaos lasted just two minutes, and Judge Arlan Harrell verbally reprimanded Trevino for the display. 4 Joe Gomez Jr. was sentenced to life in prison for killing Israel Trevino Jr. and shooting his son. Fresno County Sheriff's Office 4 Israel Trevino Jr. was killed outside his home in 2021. GoFundMe 'You have every right to let it out. But please do not take it out on these people who are here doing their job. OK? Harrell said. Gomez, 63, was convicted last year of gunning down Trevino's father and namesake outside his home in 2021. Trevino testified that Gomez repeatedly drove by the family's home, revving his engine and driving erratically before walking up to the father and son to accuse the elder Trevino of 'talking s–t on Facebook.' 4 Trevino's son charged the courtroom at Gomez's sentencing. Israel Trevino Jr / Facebook Then Gomez pulled out a gun and opened fire, killing the father, a retired corrections officer, and pumping several bullets into his son's torso. 'The big question is, 'Why?' It's never been addressed. It's never been answered,' Harrell said in court. Gomez continues to maintain his innocence — and used his final words in court to criticize the legal system. 'The defendant, Joe Gomez's, constitutional due process rights to a fair trial and an impartial trial were violated with suppression of evidence by a state attorney and the conviction of (inaudible) perjury. I, Joe Gomez, am going to file an appeal with an appellate court,' he said. A judge on Thursday denied his request for a new trial.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Maryland homeowner says squatters moved into his house using fake Instagram scam — now they want $5K to leave
A Maryland homeowner, who asked to only be identified by his first name, Pete, says squatters are demanding $5,000 to vacate his home after gaining access to the property through a fraudulent Instagram rental scheme. ABC 7 News reports that two adults and two children had moved in, changed the locks and gave police a signed 'Squatter Lease Agreement Addendum,' a document investigators say is part of a larger fraudulent rental scheme, and one that Pete knew nothing about. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) The purported squatters allegedly told officers they paid $1,500 to a woman they met on Instagram who claimed she could get them a house in any area they wanted. All they had to do was pay a one-time fee — no rent, no lease, no questions asked. According to dispatch audio and police reports obtained by ABC 7, officers were called to Pete's property on May 29 after a realtor noticed signs of forced entry. The BCPD report states that 'a realtor attempted to show the property to a prospective renter when he noticed shavings on the ground of the front door entrance, the lockbox to the property missing, and the locks changed.' Police noted visible damage to the basement door consistent with forced entry. According to police reports reviewed by ABC 7 News, the male occupant at Pete's home admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong — but said he felt he had no other option. He reportedly claimed the individual told him the real homeowner might eventually show up but he'd have the chance to 'work something out' when that happened. In some cases, however, renters don't know they are entering into a fraudulent lease. Baltimore County Police say this isn't an isolated incident. The same Instagram account that connected these squatters to Pete's home has been mentioned in at least two other squatting cases in the area, including one in Windsor Mill and another in Baltimore City. Baltimore County State Delegate Ryan Nawrocki says these cases show a troubling trend: coordinated squatting scams that operate like organized crime. 'We have people who are doing this time and time again, and we know who they are. It's no different than any other criminal network that we would normally hold very seriously accountable,' he told ABC 7. As these scams grow more common, authorities say the legal system is struggling to keep up. Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger says these scams are difficult to prosecute because they often involve two sets of victims: homeowners, and tenants who believe they've found a legitimate place to live. 'You have a victim who signs a lease and gets ripped off—and you have a property owner who loses control of their home,' Shellenberger said. His office is pursuing charges when possible, but he says that criminals are finding ways to commit crimes that states lack laws to address. Some states, like Florida and California, have begun passing laws to protect property owners from these situations. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it suggests that homeowners can try to protect their property from squatters with security measures, such as: Secure vacant homes: Use security cameras, check the property frequently and alert neighbors if your property is unoccupied. Make the home look occupied: Timed lights, security signs, planters and even children's toys can make it look like someone lives in the home. Report tampering immediately: If locks are changed or signs of forced entry appear, notify police right away. The longer squatters stay, the harder it can be to remove them. Screen for your property online: Monitor real estate and social media platforms for listings using your address without your consent. Consider setting up an alert for your address that will notify you if anything about your address is posted. Consult a property attorney: Eviction and trespass laws vary by state, and laws are constantly changing. You may need legal help to remove unauthorized occupants. For those looking for a place to rent, Experian provides tips on how to avoid falling for a bogus listing: Don't trust listings from social media: Scammers prey on desperation. If it seems too easy or too cheap, it probably is. Tour the property: This will prove the person offering the home has access. While it's not foolproof, it's another step that can help protect you. Verify the landlord's identity: Ask to see ID, ownership documents or work through a licensed realtor. Watch for red flags: Cash-only payments, no background checks, lease agreements with vague or unusual language or being told to change the locks yourself indicate something isn't right. Check the property's status: Use county records or real estate platforms to confirm if it's actually available for rent and who owns it. If the home is for sale or lists an owner other than the person you spoke with, walk away. Squatting scams like this are growing more common and more sophisticated. Pete's story is a warning for both homeowners and renters: in the age of online scams and fake listings, protecting your home, or finding one, may require more vigilance than ever. Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
